Red blends show confidence
THE 2018 vintage Gimblett Gravels dozen is split into six blended reds and six syrahs.
When I pondered the varietal makeup of the blended reds, I noted that these were dominated by cabernet sauvignon, a later ripening grape than merlot, a tick of confidence to my mind from the winemakers, in getting flavour and physiologically ripe fruit at the end of the season.
Abundant tannins are also a factor in these wines, which will give structure and backbone as they age, but also complement food if you decide to broach these early.
2018 Elephant Hill Hieronymous
Price: $120 Rating: Outstanding
A sense of volume to the nose, dust, gravel, riverstones, blackberry, blackcurrant, perfume. Powerful entry with tannins to match, adding a grainy feel to the texture. Mixed red and dark fruits, a wisp of leaf and savoury nuances; the fruit hanging on the long close, salivary glands getting a work out. Fleshes out nicely, complexity and completeness. Very elegant!
www.elephanthill.co.nz
2018 Squawking Magpie Grand Gimblett cabernet sauvignon Price: $80
Rating: Excellent to outstanding
Ripe, sweeter fruits, flirts with liqueur fruits, bonfire embers/wood smoke, tobacco with time. A sweeter fruit core here, spices and chocolate, silky texture and very fine tannins. Freshness and a cooling feel to this, the youthfulness becomes more apparent as the tannins grow more mouth puckering and the acidity more bracing. Needs time.
www.squawkingmagpie.co.nz
2018 Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Gimblett Gravels cabernet merlot
Price: $37.90 Rating: Excellent
A tangy quality, balsamic, savoury notes, then more restrained blackcurrant, berry compote and tar. Medium bodied with lovely purity of fruit highlighting blackcurrant and mixed berries. The tanginess continues on the palate, offering a vibrant, crunchy brightness. Elegant with superdrinkability, yet deceptive as there’s structure for the future.
www.saintclair.co.nz
2018 Mission Estate Jewelstone Antoine Price: $50
Rating: Excellent to outstanding
A wisp of funk at first, humus, earth, road tar, the fruit hovering, a little cigar box with time. Mouthpuckering, powerful tannins driving this yet underlying creamy richness. Licorice, savoury nuances, black tea, the fruit carrying through to the long, dry finish. Could easily slip into a lineup of Bordeaux. An attractive, powerfully structured wine needing time.
www.missionestate.co.nz
2018 Villa Maria Ngakirikiri
Price: $150 Rating: Outstanding
Fascinating nose, tilled earth, wild herbs, bran, black fruits, leaf, wood smoke, perfume, evolving and changing. Silky entry, really fine tannins, deceptive depth, managing power without overt weight. Chocolate, spice box, tobacco, leaf, savoury elements and dark fruits caress the palate, the tiniest saline nuance. Approachable yet huge potential.
Superb stuff!
www.villamaria.co.nz
2018 Trinity Hill The Gimblett Price: $40
Rating: Excellent to outstanding
Attractive nose of blackcurrant, leaf, earth, milk chocolate, spice and fruit liqueur. Richly fruited front palate, chocolate and dusty gravel backed by nicely judged tannins. A tingly quality too adds tangy brightness. There’s lightness and finesse, the richness is here without being obviously big. Approachable already with its wonderful balance, but I’m sure will mature with grace.
www.trinityhill.com